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Lift Louisiana Responds to Nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court

Submitted by merenberg on February 1st, 2017

02.01.17 - (PRESS RELEASE) Last Night, the President announced Neil Gorsuch as his nominee for Supreme Court Justice. Gorsuch is a conservative judge who has a track record of deciding against civil liberties and women’s rights.

Judge Gorsuch has sided with closely held corporations arguing that providing insurance plans that cover contraceptives violated their religious beliefs. In Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., Gorsuch wrote a concurrence that argued this coverage substantially burdened the companies religious exercise in violation of Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Hobby Lobby was specifically opposed to emergency contraception and two types of intrauterine devices (IUDs) - neither of which are used to terminate a pregnancy.

"Judge Gorsuch's past decisions cause a lot of concern about the future of women's health and rights," stated Michelle Erenberg, Executive Director, of Lift Louisiana. "He seems to be more concerned with the rights of corporations and religious ideologies than the rights of women."

His decisions indicate that he believes government can permit public displays of religion – and can accommodate deeply held religious views – without either violating the religion clauses of the Constitution or destroying the effectiveness of government programs that occasionally run into religious objections. In a nation with so many diverse religious perspectives, there is a concern that his past decisions would impose a single religious viewpoint on others who may not share the same beliefs.

Advocates opposed to his nomination will have an uphill battle without a majority in the Senate. However, with not only the future of Roe v Wade on the line, but also access to birth control, this is a battle that must be waged.